The Federal Government has warned international airlines operating in Nigeria to stop treating Nigerian passengers with contempt.
Speaking when a delegation from the Emirates Group paid him a courtesy visit in his office, Abuja the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika vowed to impose sanctions on any airline operator who treat Nigerians shabbily, especially on international operations.
A statement issued by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs in the ministry quoted Sirika as telling his guests that the government would not condone the practice of subjecting Nigerians to any form of suffering. This include making them to walk long distance before boarding or using small aircraft that lacks the capacity to carry the travelers along with their luggage to their destinations.
The statement said that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority had been directed to invoke all relevant laws to protect the interest and rights of Nigerians and others from being abused by airlines.
He, however, assured the operators of Federal Government’s commitment to upgrade of the nation’s airport facilities.
The Vice President, Aeropolitical and Industry Affairs, Emirate Group, Mr. David Broz, pledged the group’s commitment to serve Nigeria better, describing the country as the airline’s second biggest market in Africa.
By Dike Onwuamaeze